Europa League draw simulated: Arsenal and Unai Emery reunited as Man United land dream tie

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It's Europa League draw day as Arsenal will discover their route to a second appearance in the final in the space of two years.

The Gunners along with fellow Premier League side Manchester United will learn their quarter-final opponents later this afternoon, whilst the semi-final picture will also become clearer.

Arsenal's perfect record in the group phase meant they were paired with Benfica in the round of 32 and produced a dramatic comeback to avoid elimination at the same stage for the second successive year.

Then in the last-16, it was a familiar foe in Olympiacos, and despite a 1-0 loss in the second leg, the Gunners prevailed 3-2 on aggregate to seal their place amongst the final eight.

All eight clubs now know there is little margin for error as they are just four games away from reaching May's final.

There is no seeding for this stage of the competition, meaning anyone can be pitted against anyone, raising the prospect of some very exciting and intriguing ties.

We used a knockout stage simulator to determine who the Gunners and Manchester United and might draw, and the results were fascinating.


Whilst the two English clubs were kept apart, Arsenal were paired with Villarreal which would mean a reunion with former head coach Unai Emery.


Meanwhile, Man United were drawn against Slavia Praha in what could be regarded as a tricky tie for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, but the Czech Republic outfit have already beaten Leicester City and Rangers.

Simulated Europa League quarter-final draw in full:

Dinamo Zagreb vs Roma

Granada vs Ajax

Manchester United vs Slavia Praha

Arsenal vs Villarreal


* The quarter-final first leg ties will take place on April 8, while second leg fixtures will be played on April 15.

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